learn and create

Our workshops are a view of each season with an observation of medicinal plants using your senses. Each workshop starts with a garden walk to explore the variety of plants growing at Phytofarm and a sensory and visual sensation in the drying room. They contain discussions to excite your mind, tastes to stimulate your palate with a variety of edible plants from the garden and the Phytofarm pantry. Homemade crackers, medicinal hummus, nut cheeses, meadow plant pestos, fermented condiments, local goat cheese, plant-based chutneys, mini muffins, inulin rich beverage and seasonal tisanes. Food provided at the workshops will accommodate any special dietary requirements – vegan, vegetarian or gluten intolerant.

The workshops will inspire you to create your own medicinal plant garden, – on a farm, in a suburban garden or a courtyard garden using containers or vertical displays. Discover how to engage with plants to keep you well as we move around the sun. These workshops are a holistic view of “prevention is better than cure” and an observation of accessible local plants, the ones that very likely grow around you, but you just have not introduced yourself.

the workshops

Workshop programme: LEARN

In the spirit of taking a break over the winter and spring, I have not yet posted specific workshop dates. However, with enough notice, I am available to do a Phytofarm workshop of your choice. Look at the seasonal workshop listed on the website and put together your favourite products to manufacture.
You can select any THREE products PLUS blending a tisane from any season that excites you. All workshops include a garden walk with plant identification and a drying room experience.

You will make products to take home, with recipes included, for example:

* A vinegar – medicinal or culinary
* A healing salve
* A medicinal salt
* Blend a tisane
Spring Workshop – Sample Products
* A colourful culinary vinegar
* A meadow herb pesto
* A herb salt
* Blend a spring tisane
Summer Workshop – Sample Products
* A rose-coloured lip balm
* A healing salve
* A skin healing gel
* Blend a summer tisane
Autumn Workshop – Sample Products
* A tasty syrup
* A sweet and sour oxymel
* A warming chest rub
* Blend an autumn tisane
Winter Workshop – Sample Products
* A fragrant and nourishing body butter
* A healing foot salve
* A relaxing foot soak
* Blend a winter tisane

Specialty Workshops

Tisane Blending
10am-2pm
$150 per person
Botanical Cocktail Workshop
10am-4pm
$280 per person
Dyeing to Impress Workshop
Learn how to embed the structure and colour of plants onto linen.
$ POA
Plant to Perfume Workshop
A two day immersion in the elements of natural fragrance.
$280

Workshops that are booked can be cancelled three days prior to receive a full refund. After this time no refunds will be given but an alternative date can be booked for a 50% discount.

Other times for workshops and garden tours can be negotiated. Please contact Valmai to discuss.

Group Specials: Please contact us to discuss any special requests or topics of interest. If you live outside the Canterbury area workshop days can be blocked together to limit travel costs.

Decorating cocktail glass
Infusing a tisane tea